Lakers reportedly plan to re-sign $11M gamble that fits perfectly with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

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Lakers reportedly plan to re-sign $11M gamble that fits perfectly with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

Lakers reportedly plan to re-sign $11M gamble that fits perfectly with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

The Lakers have so far been impressed with this pick-up.

Lakers reportedly plan to re-sign $11M gamble that fits perfectly with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

The Lakers have so far been impressed with this pick-up.

The Los Angeles Lakers are making moves that could reshape their roster around their new superstar duo, and one mid-season gamble is already paying off in a big way. According to league insiders, the Lakers are reportedly planning to re-sign Luke Kennard, the sharpshooter they acquired at the trade deadline—and it's looking like a perfect fit alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

When the Lakers sent Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Kennard, it was a relatively small financial deal. But the impact has been anything but minor. Kennard is shooting a career-best 49.7% from beyond the arc this season, giving Los Angeles exactly what they needed: a reliable floor spacer who can thrive off the ball.

The chemistry between Kennard and Doncic has been especially impressive. In the 88 minutes they've shared the court over the last six games, the duo has posted an offensive rating of 125.7—the fourth-best mark among any Lakers pairing with at least 50 minutes together. That kind of efficiency is hard to ignore, especially when you add Reaves and LeBron James into the mix.

NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports that rival team strategists are increasingly expecting the Lakers to keep Kennard around long-term. His strong performance in the first-round playoff series against Houston only solidified that belief. The Lakers are projected to be aggressive spenders this offseason, and Kennard's ability to heat up in an instant makes him a valuable piece for a team built around multiple ball handlers.

With head coach JJ Redick now able to create more spacing and open looks, Kennard gives the Lakers a dynamic offensive weapon who can punish defenses for collapsing on Doncic or Reaves. It's the kind of complementary piece that turns a good lineup into a great one—and it sounds like Los Angeles is ready to lock it in.

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